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, Ak-Sar-Ben Opens Its Annual Meeting of Thirty -Five Days Strong Field of Thirteen, 1 Headed by Auntie, Under 119, Seeks Inaugural Handicap By ART KENNEDY Staff Correspondent AK-SAR-BEN, Omaha, Nebr., May 18.— Nebraska racing fans seemed assured of a banner season as entries for Ak-Sar-Ben opening-day card, tomorrow, were filled to overflowing. In balance with the rest of the eight-race program, the featured Inaugural Handicap, a six-furlong event with ,000 added drew a field of 13 horses representing 11 interests. The Ak-Sar-Ben meet runs for 35 days, concluding on the Fourth of July. Return Engagements for Many Most of the Inaugural entrants are making return bows to Ak-Sar-Ben patrons, having distinguished themselves over the local oval during the past season. One of these who is apt to reign a sentimental favorite with the betting public because of proven partiality to the Omaha racing strip is S. S. Barretts Auntie, who managed to be in the money in all of her seven starts here last year. Three of those outings brought her to the winners circle. The Time Signal mare has been assigned top impost of 119 pounds by handicapper Linus Pierce but has shown an ability to handle weight, in the past. Opposing her will be such as Mt. Haro, a Continued on Page Thirty-Eight Ak-Sar-Ben Opens Meet At Omaha Course Today Thirteen Named for Inaugural; Auntie, Mt. Haro, Butch K. Clash Continued from Page One consistent winner at Santa Anita during its last meeting and coupled in the betting with Free Soul as the M. H. Robineau entry. The latter, who seems to favor more distance, was a good winner at Centennial. Butch K., also a favorite with local racegoers, will have strong support in the mu-tuels, as will Mr. Poise, whose recent form at Oaklawn Park will recommend him. The rest of the field appears well balanced and devotees of the stop watch will spot several who have shown recent fast moves in morning preparation. The racing strip, muddy after heavy rains over the week end, showed promise of being fast for the Inaugural as the combined action of todays sun and wind hastened the drying-out process. The racing plant itself is in complete readiness with all facilities for the publics convenience in prime condition. The stable area is completely tenanted by horses fit and ready to run, coming from winter racing fronts and other points where training has been possible during the past few months. The jockey colony is almost at full strength, with late arrivals expected to boost its numerical strength to better than 80 saddlesmiths, journeyman and apprentice. Two of these, John Bellino, 23-year-old apprentice from Colorado, and 16-year-old John Thille of Scott City, Kansas, were riding rivals for top honors at Phoenix, . Arizona, this past winter, and will be renewing that rivalry during the impending : 35 days here, in quest of the Ak-Sar-Ben leading rider trophy.
